Dr Chris Fryar has recently retired

After working at Heath Lane Medical Centre for over thirty years. Dr Fryar has jotted down a few notes reflecting on his career:

I joined the practice in 1994 when it was Tarvin Road Medical Centre. The partners at that time were Drs Henry Bodsworth, Allan Pullin, Frances Evans-Jones and Tim Saunders. By the 1990s the practice had outgrown the small, purpose-built surgery building on Tarvin Road (currently the Storrar Vets Practice). There were only three doctors’ consulting rooms and, on certain days, the GPs had to share rooms by doing consecutive morning surgeries! In 1995 we moved to the brand new building on Heath Lane where each doctor had the luxury of working from their own room.

I became a partner when Dr Allan Pullin retired in October 1995. Shortly afterwards, Dr Wanda Hargreaves joined the partnership following the retirement of Dr Bodsworth. More changes meant that for the majority of my career I worked in partnership with Dr Tim Saunders, until the final phase with Drs Susan Wall and Zoe Thompson-Shaw.

During the three decades of my career, primary care medicine evolved significantly. It increased in complexity with more focus on preventative medicine and, as a result, the team expanded well beyond the days of a few GPs working with a practice nurse or two.

When I started my general practice training in 1989, we recorded our notes in paper Lloyd-George folders, and even repeat prescriptions had to be hand-written by the reception team in preparation for signing! The introduction of computers and their development has transformed the work we do, allowing us to provide much more comprehensive care for our patients.

Despite the various changes, the core job has remained much the same – the provision of continuing medical care to individuals and their families. I have thoroughly enjoyed my career as a doctor but the years in primary care have been by far the most satisfying and fulfilling. It has been an absolute privilege. I have worked with the most incredible teams of people, with everyone playing their part to ensure we have strived to provide the very best care for those who have placed their trust in us as patients.

I would like to thank my colleagues for all their help and support and you all for the many good wishes I have received on my retirement.

Dr Chris Fryar